District receives handsome rebate at monthly meeting

Posted on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 11:28 am

How many people have ever wished they could get a refund check from their utility company? Well the Elsberry R-II School Board got just that when they met on Wednesday, Oct. 9 for their monthly meeting.

Annette Sweet, a representative from Ameren UE was on hand at the beginning of the meeting to present them with a rebate check in the amount of $20,309.46, for the District’s participation in the BizSavers Program, which offers cash incentives for virtually any cost-effective energy efficiency project.

Following the presentation and a photo op, Middle School Principal Jason Miller and Elementary School Principal Toni Wankel gave a brief presentation on the new Primary Math Program. Students Cain Sadler, Mina Folkerts and Lilly Calvin gave examples of how the new program works.

Elsberry Superintendent Tim Reller, Ed.D, gave the monthly financial report. According to him, the balances are $195,392 less than a year ago.

“The district is still watching revenues from the state,” said Dr. Reller. “The formula is still not being paid out as funded. However, enrollment is 798 with an Average Daily Attendance (ADA) of 745. This is still a bit of an increase from last year.”

Dr. Reller also reported that he and Miller are still participating in the MoLEAD Program, while implementing the accountability plan. As far as construction is concerned, there are still a few open areas to complete, the main one being the replacement of the cooling tower in the high school. However, it cannot be started until the weather becomes cooler. On a separate note, Dr. Reller stated that discussions have begun in regards to the window project, set to start in the summer of 2014.

Other than a few reports by school faculty and the approval of Policy and regulations 2710, which regard student welfare and reporting student abuse, and 4321, which regard personnel services such as absences, leave and vacation. The board voted to go into executive session. The next meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

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